From what has been said, I don't think I qualify as a true enthusiast in that biking is only a portion of my life, which I enjoy but to which I am limited by having too many other interests and things to do. It has always been that way with other things as well. I sure enjoy it and there is really no one else here to enjoy it with or for whom to show off, so I just ride when I get a chance and have to leave it at that.

Enjoying motorcycling makes you a biker/enthusiast, not necessarily how much seat time you get. And it doesn't mean you have to ride with a group or be seen by anyone. It's the freedom of the road, and the wind in your face. I've met guys that ride 450 Honda's from the late 70's who are more a biker/rider/enthusiast than those who spend 25k on whatever and know not what it means to be free on a bike, or why they really got one. Those are the posers. Just blend with the road LJ, that's all it is/what it's about. Will.

Enjoying motorcycling makes you a biker/enthusiast, not necessarily how much seat time you get. And it doesn't mean you have to ride with a group or be seen by anyone. It's the freedom of the road, and the wind in your face. I've met guys that ride 450 Honda's from the late 70's who are more a biker/rider/enthusiast than those who spend 25k on whatever and know not what it means to be free on a bike, or why they really got one. Those are the posers. Just blend with the road LJ, that's all it is/what it's about. Will.

Enjoying motorcycling makes you a biker/enthusiast, not necessarily how much seat time you get. And it doesn't mean you have to ride with a group or be seen by anyone. It's the freedom of the road, and the wind in your face. I've met guys that ride 450 Honda's from the late 70's who are more a biker/rider/enthusiast than those who spend 25k on whatever and know not what it means to be free on a bike, or why they really got one. Those are the posers. Just blend with the road LJ, that's all it is/what it's about. Will.

I love threads like this. No right or wrong answers. I grew up on minibikes with lawnmower engines, the graduated to small dual-purpose bikes (learn in the dirt, stay alive on the road). I've ridden a variety of bikes over the years and stopped riding aor awile because they go too sophisticated (no personality).

I think the two types I can most easily pick out are those who rode for the journey and those who ride for the destination.

Roads are the same. You can look at some roads and immediately see they were made for the destination. They flatten hills and bridge rivers. They run straight, true and boring. Other roads rise and fall, twist and turn, and generally cooperate with their environment. These roads are made for the journey.

I was attracted to RE because it is a bike made for the journey, the riding experience. They could have easily followed the current trends of bigger, faster quieter, smoother, etc. But they purposely attempted to retain character.

I still get to my destinations, but I am in no hurry. Once I get there, the ride is over. That makes me sad.

Nice post, luoma. I get the feeling that a 'biker' could be anyone who enjoys bikes, from maybe one who polishes but rarely rides, just enjoying the beauty of the beast to those like our iron butted Jim who cruises throughout the western states with miles and miles of road time. The social aspect was mentioned as well and I can't see anything really wrong with that. If someone wants to pay big bucks for a chrome harley and wears all the correct paraphernalia, if it gives enjoyment, that's fine too. Not for others to judge.

Don't know what I am, but I started riding about 10 yrs ago. Started like alot of folks, with a cruiser, watching all those lame Discovery Channel shows, dreaming of a BIG CHOPPER....then I got my Ural. That thing changed everything. I HAD to learn how to wrench, and now do most of my own work. I commute on a bike every chance I get, have had an old Suzuki and 2 RE's since, and dream of getting an older triumph to tinker on and get running as a project. It's become a part of me instead of just something I do. I dress how it makes sense to me, not how someone tells me the lifestyle "should" look. AND...the cruiser tends to sit in the garage. Probably the only reason it stays is it's the most comfortable ride for my wife. Whatever this makes me I don't know...enthusiest definately....I'm just HAVIN" FUN!!